Flexible curtain for cars



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1'.

H. N. E. GOTTIER. FLEXIBLE CURTAIN FOR CARS. No. 250,345.. Patented Dec. 6,1881.

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(No Model.)

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H. N. E. OOTTiER.

FLEXIBLE CURTAIN FOR CARS.

Patented Dec. 6,1881.

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UNITE STATES PATENT HENRY N. E. OOTTIER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FLEXIBLE CURTAIN FOR CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,345, dated December 6, 1881.

Application filed February 9, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY N. E. OOTTIER, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Chicago, county of- Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful improvement in blinds, partitions, or flexible curtains for summer street-cars or'steam-cars in which glass is not used at the side windows or openings, and where the passengers enter and descend from such side openings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a cross-section of the ear, and represents the grooved posts or uprights 0 and carlings D of the car, the two inner lines representing the grooves b b, in which the blind or curtain A slides or travels, the carlings of said car being but a continuation of the posts or uprights, and of an equal number therewith, at convenient distances apart for the purposes desired. S is a removable piece, screwed to the carlin gs of the car at the center, and which may be removed and the blinds taken or pulled from the grooves when desired.

Fig. 2 represents a part or broken side view of the car, with the blinds or curtains A in different positions for use. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of ribs or uprights, full size, showing grooves 11 b and blinds or curtains A in place. Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the blinds A, and showing post or rib G, with its grooves b b in elevation. Fig. 5 represents the spring and pressure rollers f j, used to regulate the friction of travel of the blind or partition. Fig.6 is a side view of the removable piece S. Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the removable piece S.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to an improved relation of parts and the application of new devices as applied to an open summer street or steam car, for the purpose of making a secure and desirable protection at the side or opening of such car, and enabling the passengers or conductor to operate such devices easily, quickly, and at will.

1 am aware that a device has been patented consisting, substantially, of two entire slatted sides of a car, which roll up simultaneously upon a shaft into a false roof, this device beformed of canvas backing. The windows of this car are embodied in these sides. Neither of the car sides, or any part thereof, can be I operated by any passenger. If one of .these canvas slat-ted sides is lowered, the other must also follow in excluding the sun, rain,'or wind. This device has none of the characteristics hereinafter set forth as my invention.

I am also aware that canvas has been used as the foundation or backing forflexible wooden carpeting, desk-covers, &c.; but the uses, purposes, adaptations, and designs of these articles are widely different from the uses, purposes, adaptations, and designs of my device or invention, hereinafter expressed and claimed.

My invention consists in the construction and adaptation of a traveling or sliding blind, partition, or curtain constructed as hereinafter described, in combination with the posts or uprights and carlings of a summer streetcar or steam-car where the passengers enter'or leave the cars at the sides thereof 5 but it can be readily seen that this invention can be easily applied to the windows and sides of cars where the openings are not used as a means of egress.

Ithas been customary heretofore to use the ordinary common curtains of canvas, which roll up upon themselves and are strapped to the top or roof of the car. These are veryinoonvenient and unsightly, easily liable to be displaced, difficult and tedious to handle, and capable of assuming but two positions, being entirely down or entirely up, also liable to a continual side displacement unless securely buckled or buttoned in place, and when in their best position and condition forming but an indifferent barrier to the sun or rain.

I am aware, further, that so-called flexible blinds or partitions have been patented composed of wooden slats or pieces of wood connected and held together by metallic connections of some kind; but these of necessity must be made of quite heavy material, the metal connecting the slats corrodes, they are very difficult in operation, expensive of construction, and liable to get out of order, and are neither wind nor weather tight.

The construction of my traveling or sliding blind or curtain obviates all the above defects and contains many additional advantages, which are substantially as follows: it is more durable, and will last longer than the car itself, is much more flexible in all its parts, does not get out of order, is cheaper of construction, is capable of being highly decorated and made attractive in appearance on its inner or canvas side, cannot be penetrated by the elements of Wind or water-in short combining all the advantages to be obtained from either canvas or slatted blinds, and by their combination eliminating all their respective defects.

I useagood quality of ducking or canvas, prefferably No. 6, cut or fashioned to fit between the respective posts and carlin gs of the car, measuring from the depth or bottom of the grooves. I then glue upon this ducking or canvas slats (preferably ogee) abutting each other, but not connected by the glue to each other. To make these slats perfectly secure, Ifasten or rivet them to the canvas by rivets or otherwise,'as shown by c c in the drawings. These slats are of nearly equal thickness to the width of the grooves in which they travel or work, the curve formed by the carlin gs of the car, preferably a slightly reverse curve, as shown in the drawings, permitting the blind or curtain to move freely in the grooves, butat the same time with sufficient friction to hold the blind in place at a desired point whenever the force which compels it to travel is removed. I paint the interior of the blind or partition with Whatever colored striping may be desired; or the interior of the blind may be embellished with ornamental paintings, and when so painted and in place in the top of the car they form a handsome and attractive ceiling for the car. The lower part of the blind is finished by a leather fringe, e, riveted to the blind, with a suitable opening in the center for the hand to easilymanipulatetheblind. Theleatherfringe also serves the further purpose of turning or shedding the rain away from the floor of the car when the blind is in the down position.

In case the blind may be caused to play too freely by constant and long use, I arrange at the points ofjunction of the upright posts and carlings of the car, at each side of the blind, spring pressure-rollers covered with rubber, which may be arranged or tightened so as to press upon the outer or ogee side of the blind, and thus cause any suitable pressure or friction desired; or the blinds might be balanced or held in place by cord and weight passing from their top ends to the other side of the car. The outer or ogee side of the blind, curtain, or partition is to be varnished or finished in some other well-known suitable way;

What I claim as myinvention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a summer street or steam car, the travcling blind or partition A, constructed substantially as described, in combination with the uprights O, carlings D, and grooves b b, substantially as above set forth and described.

2. The traveling or movable blind or partition A, constructed substantially as described, in combination with the uprights or posts 0, carlings D, grooves b b, and removable piece S.

3. The combination of the traveling or sliding blind A, posts or uprights O, carlings D, grooves b b, and spring pressure-rollersff, sub stantially as and for the purposes described.

HENRY N. E. GOTTIER.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK O. GOODWIN, ABEL BOND. 

